'Let them be scared': Moscow sends EU message with widening corporate crackdown - Reuters

Moscow has intensified a campaign to remove foreign control over assets in Russia, focusing specifically on European companies operating in the country. The latest measures aim to strip the right of foreign owners to manage their Russian subsidiaries, effectively transferring decision‑making authority to Russian entities.

The move follows a series of actions taken by the Kremlin to tighten its grip on the domestic economy amid ongoing sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. Officials have indicated that the policy is intended to protect Russian interests and ensure that strategic assets remain under local control.

In a statement, Russian authorities accused the European Union of direct involvement in the conflict, linking the EU’s support for Ukraine to the need for such corporate restrictions. The Kremlin framed the crackdown as a response to what it described as hostile actions by European governments and institutions.

European firms affected by the new rules are being required to comply with Russian regulations that limit foreign managerial influence. Companies that fail to adjust their governance structures may face the loss of operational control or other punitive measures.

Analysts note that the policy could further isolate Russian businesses from Western investment and complicate the operational landscape for multinational corporations seeking to maintain a presence in Russia. The Kremlin, however, maintains that the steps are necessary to safeguard national interests amid what it perceives as external aggression.